Apparatus and method for heating fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell or fuel cell stack heater using resistive heat. A resistive conductor (preferably some type of metal wire) is attached to a source of electricity such as a battery. The resistive conductor is in proximity with the fuel cell or stack so that when the resistive conductor is heated, the cell or stack will also become hot. An insulating material surrounds the outside of the fuel cell or stack, so that it encloses the cell or stack and the resistive conductor. The insulating material will capture heat from the resistive conductor and any waste heat given off by the operation of the fuel cell or stack. A means for modifying the amount of electrical current in the resistive conductor is attached to the apparatus. When the fuel cell or stack reaches the desired temperature, the means is employed to reduce or turn off current in the resistive conductor.

1. An apparatus for heating at least one fuel cell to an optimized operating temperature, comprising:
 a resistive conductor attached to a source of electricity, said resistive conductor being configured for close proximity to at least one fuel cell; 
 a smart controller for automatically optimizing an amount of electrical current in said resistive conductor so as to maintain said at least one fuel cell at an optimized operating temperature, said smart controller comprising:
 at least one voltage sensor for measuring an output of the at least one fuel cell; 
 at least one temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the at least one fuel cell; 
 at least one heater control component that modifies the amount of electrical current in said resistive conductor so as to optimize said output of the at least one fuel cell; and 
 a host interface for communications between said smart controller and a consumer electronic device that is powered by said fuel cell. 
 
 
   
   
     2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel cell comprises at least one fuel cell stack. 
   
   
     3. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said resistive conductor contains metal. 
   
   
     4. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said source of electricity is at least one of a battery, a fuel cell, and a power cord attached to a conventional wall plug. 
   
   
     5. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature transducer communicatively coupled to said temperature sensor. 
   
   
     6. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said voltage sensor includes at least one ammeter. 
   
   
     7. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating material configured to surround said at least one fuel cell and said resistive conductor. 
   
   
     8. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one heater control component includes a switch capable of switching electrical current on and off. 
   
   
     9. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one fuel cell includes at least one solid oxide fuel cell. 
   
   
     10. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said smart controller further comprises a pump control for controlling fuel delivery into the at least one fuel cell.